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DeCastro, Gay receive top PFF marks

Pro Football Focus, a popular football evaluation web site, gave Steelers right guard David DeCastro and cornerback William Gay its highest marks on offense and defense for the Steelers in their 19-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.

DeCastro earned a +3.6 grade, all in run blocking, as the second-year guard steamrolled Ravens defenders all game long. It was only his ninth career start, but clearly, the best one he's had in that time. It's by far his top grade received from PFF.

Right tackle Guy Whimper silenced any and all critics he had with a newsworthy performance against Baltimore as well. He received a +2.6 grade - the highest of any Steelers tackle this season. He replaced Marcus Gilbert after seven plays, and performed very well, especially considering the level of competition he was facing.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger earned a +2.0 grade.

Tight end Heath Miller received a -4.1, the lowest among offensive players. It was the second-lowest grade they've given Miller since the site began in 2008 (Week 14 in 2008 against Dallas was the lowest at -4.4).

Gay was given a +2.1 overall score, boosting him to +5.6 on the season - 14th highest among cornerbacks in the NFL. He was one of the few positive grades the Steelers defense received, with Shamarko Thomas receiving a +1.4 and Lawrence Timmons receiving a +1.3, respectively.

I noticed DD a few times making positive plays in the run game. I also noticed him finishing plays and helping running backs fight for extra yards. In addition to PFF, I saw some nice buzz for DD from Wexell and Lance Zeirlien (sp?) - the son of the old offensive line coach.

Oh, I think it is

Hope this is a sign that DeCastro is getting to full strength and it's signs of good things to come. As for Worilds, it wasn't like he was even in the game most of the time

I was mad at him when he took Pouncey out. And at other times, he has looked almost equally hapless as that play. But unlike Adams, I think those are "growing pains", and he's proving what people thought of him coming out. At worst, the guy has at least proven to be a force run-blocking, particularly pulling.